As part of its commitment to decarbonisation, Sorigué is starting up a new R&D initiative to explore the renewable hydrogen value chain through innovative solutions.  

The project, entitled “VAL2H2: Research on new technologies for the generation, storage and use of renewable H2 through the VALorisation of biowaste” is led by Sorigué in a consortium with Indox Energy Systems, Eurecat, IREC (Catalonia Energy Research Institute), CIEMAT (Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research) and Rovira i Virgili University.  

Over two years, it will study producing green hydrogen from bio-waste generated by various sources and conduct trials at two pilot plants. The first is next to Noguera Renovables’ biomethane plant in Vallfogona de Balaguer (Lleida) and the second at Eurecat’s facilities in Manresa.  

Utmost circularity  

Noguera Renovables’ biomethane plant is owned by the consortium made up of Sorigué together with Torre Santa María and Axpo. It is a groundbreaking facility in the circular economy because it converts all of its agri-food waste into biomethane which is fed straight into the gas grid.  

Sorigué brings its experience in the water cycle and industry while Axpo adds its expertise in the energy sector. Torre Santa Maria owns the farm from which the agri-food waste is taken. 

In the course of this project, the pilot plant aims to produce up to 1 kg/h of renewable hydrogen from bio-waste which is hard to recover such as pruning waste and other sources of organic matter.  

VAL2H2 will be a technological breakthrough in the entire hydrogen value chain from production and purification to use in fuel cells as a specific case of converting hydrogen into electricity.  

In terms of storage, simulations will be run with specialised software along with experimental studies in prototypes to evaluate various pressure and temperature conditions. Potential uses of the by-products obtained, for example in agriculture, are also to be investigated.  

The project has been selected for a grant under the programme to support the innovative renewable hydrogen value chain as part of the Spanish Government’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan financed by the European Union with Next Generation Funds.  

Innovation in sustainability is a core issue for Sorigué which spans several of its business divisions. It is currently engaged in over 20 initiatives in partnership with a number of domestic and international public and private organisations.  

They include projects such as Despoliplast for converting plastics into recycled carbon and hydrogen fuel, Reconstruct for developing low-carbon construction materials, and LIFE BIODAPH2O, a new system for treating wastewater using living microorganisms.